Visual Invisibility: Taboo Issues Come To Light Sept. 20 By Akinya Khalfani

DETROIT - Aug. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- “Visual Invisibility: Taboo Issues Come To Light” is a solo exhibition of work by Akinya Khalfani,  artist and radio show host of “Taboo” . .

Khalfani will make a unique grand entrance to portray the statement of the works in an auditory style to evoke the message of the paintings. In this interactive show, he will discuss his works and read from his book. "Black Nomads," a video trailer for the fil that Khalfani wrote and directed, will also be shown. Appetizers are served throughout the evening.

In the exhibition, Khalfani presents a series of artworks that trace social issues including relition, marriage, education and politicsto name just a few. Khalfani refers to Visual Invisibilty as unspoke cultural issues that people do not discuss publicly but are whispered in secret and not in front of gorups. At 4731 Gallery and Studios, Khalfani examines the internal cultural taboos and passed-on beliefs within the African-American population that he believes are more detrimental to African-Americans than anything white supremacy or anti-black sentiment could ever have committed agains the gorup in recent times.

"These paintings are for those who have sincerely questioned the path of the African-American," Khalfani said. "The paintings are about our identity in our current time. The goal and desire is to begin the conversation within our community to eradicate the whispered taboos any of us speak of when in the comforts of like minds."

Having experienced racism and other barriers to progress, he began to feel another uncomfortable feeling as he and his colleagues attempted to address many of the socio-economic ills impacting the people. He began to see the various ways in which many

African-Americans were benefiting from keeping other African-Americans in a vulnerable and helpless state. Khalfani accepted the fact that racism does exist, but the biggest problems for African-Americans, was other African-Americans fighting to keep the group from growing and developing in a manner that would be a natural progression for any other group that had experienced the history in which his group had.

Khalfani's installation is comprised of Where Do We Go From Here, 1^st Ancestor, The Split, Primary Colors, Mask of an Unrested Soul, Welcome Home, This Holy Union, Terribly Wasted and three new paintings. Each picture depicts a different perception of reality. The paintings were created in conjunction with The Split, authored by Khalfani.

These works vividly address complex problems and issues in recent American history, culture and society. They also serve as a springboard for confronting issues that continue to face America today – all people of all races.

Khalfani is a Las Vegas-based artist who has exhibited painting, installations, videos and the on-line Radio Show: Taboo. He has had solo exhibitions in Trappers Alley, The Michigan Gallery, African World Festival, the Kalamazoo Art Fair and also in Toledo.

Akinya Khalfani was born in Detroit, Michigan and experienced the culture and decline of the city. It was in these experiences he dedicated his life to addressing the problems impacting the city and African-Americans. Having earned a athletic scholarship to play football and run track at the University of Michigan, Khalfani's focus quickly shifted back to the experiences of his upbringing as he learned of the similarities of places like Detroit while earning his undergraduate degree. Not satisfied or content with his understanding of the situation, as well as the plight of urban areas, he attained a Master's degree in Urban Planning and began working in the industry.

"THE SPLIT BY AKINYA KHALFANI: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT

AFRICAN-AMERICAN IDENTIFICATION ISSUES

Written by Akinya Khalfani, the “Taboo”Radio Talk Show Host, "The Split" is a thought provoking and stimulating book that addresses the causal issues that stagnate the socio-economic growth of many African-Americans.It provides a bold and courageous look at the African-American community and the underlying taboo issues that are rarely discussed in public.

For the first time author, Akinya Khalfani, takes on the groups' behaviors in organized religion, politics, education, entertainment and economics, to name a few areas, by pointing out underlying problems that may not be easily identified as negative to many. In his assessment, he delves into these behaviors and openly discusses how these behaviors manifest themselves in most, if not all, African-Americans (inclusive of himself) in some way, but further explains the differences is in the reaction to knowing and understanding these deficits may exist within. Therein is the premise of “The Split”.

“Poverty, Fratricidal Violence, Rampant Consumerism and Materialism are all minor symptoms of deeper issues contributing to the lack of progress to the African-American population. “The Split” is a look at the causal factors that lead to these and many more” he said.

“The Split” shows how the reactions to these behaviors have created irreparable differences within the African-American population that requires strategic solutions in the current era to prevent the progressive group from falling into a permanent underclass.

However, this isn’t another finger pointing and wagging book that leaves the reader frustrated and mired in projected blame and useless bickering. To the contrary, “The Split” is an examination of the issues from a position of strength and definitive courage that forces all that have a stake in the future of African-Americans to examine themselves in reaction to the cultural taboos, unchallenged traditions and daily behaviors often attributed to the failings within this population. “The Split” shows how the internal behaviors of many African-Americans towards other African-Americans’ progress is far more detrimental than anything white supremacy and anti-black sentiment could ever do in our times.

The book is guaranteed to amplify the whispered conversations that have left so many African-Americans in an embarrassed state when others within the population fail to live up to the positive traditions and societal gains attained by the progressive members of previous generations.

"The Split" addresses a thought-provoking and conversation stimulating work that must be read by all the courageous that sincerely would like to see "real" positive changes in the African-American population. Don't be the last person to know what "The Split" is. Get your copy today!

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